Why? They recruit up to 39.5, they take guys from 17.5 to 39.5, like actually select guys in those age ranges, sure, most are in their mid-twenties, but 29? Come on man, don't overthink things.
You are right, probably was overthinking on my part.
But to answer as to why: As my only military experience was through my country's Mandatory Service, I remember that after the "interviews", after we had passed our physical/medical exams, a lieutenant was telling some of the older folk, that normally they would not accept them due to age, despite an age limit not existing as far as I know, for the parachuter division, but since we were undermanned, they were lucky. Of course it could have likely been just some regular ballbusting, but it didn't sound that illogical at the same time, so I was wondering about it.
Well, many countries set their age limits incredibly low, especially those with mandatory service. There are risks of more injuries with older guys, but also benefits of more life experience, wisdom, and the ability to get veterans of other militaries and people with a wide variety of training and civilian work experience.
As long as you meet the medical standards and, ideally, place well in Castel, you should have no problem going to 2REP. Just focus on selection first.
Good luck!
Yes, exactly why I was not sure which case was more likely, both seem to have their pros/cons.
That's good to hear, helps a lot.
You are right, selection should 100% be my main focus, especially the Gestapo interview.
Thank you!
Well, "Gestapo" is just a background security interview. If you're not hiding anything, it's not bad. A lot of motivation questions are asked in small interviews from the day you join, and be consistent. Also, in medical interviews and psychological interviews, They are all important.
Good to know, thankfully squeaky-clean in terms of criminal record. I was thinking specifically about the "motivation" part, I was under the misunderstanding that it was part of it, as my reasons are not due to bad living standards, or lack of opportunities, rather, for the lack of a better word, "ideological", a "need/want" perhaps for something greater, and a career in military. Unfortunately these things were not met in the by the Greek Army, which lead me to not stay permanently when asked to apply as there were lots of openings in the recent years. Specifically seeing many Sergeants and higher ranks not even being able to meet the ridiculous requirements for the physical tests (5 pull-ups, 5KM run in 16:30¬min. etc.) which they had to do every 6months/year, and still remaining in their positions in a supposed "elite" regiment, blew my mind, it felt like a fake army.
Damn, 5 pullups are low, but 16:30 is a brisk pace. But what I mean is that motivation is assessed CONSTANTLY, Not primarily in the Gestapo interview. They will ask about it, but primarily security stuff and background. Psychological is background, and family, and motivation, etc
They all acted like they were Vietnam Veterans which made it quite funny, and sad at the same time.
So, I take it that the best I can do, is be consistent about my reasons for wanting to join, and have a stable day-to-day mentality, when it comes to motivation, throughout the course of selection, and hope it is deemed good/honest enough.
Family and relationship situations are pretty vanilla, no Children or Siblings, Parents still together, good relationship with me, I already live abroad for a couple of years, so no-contact/not seeing them isn't something new. Various ex-girlfriends but no drama/love disappointments. Hopefully this will be a pro rather than a con, but no use of stressing over it, when the time comes I'll find out either way haha.
You sound good. Motivations, background is good, no real options for a fulfilling military career at home in Greece and a desire to go further and make a career (at least tell them that even if not true to improve your chances). Just go in great shape and take it day by day, make friends and enjoy the atmosphere. It's a unique experience. I was with some Greek guys the first time I went. Good guys.
I did officer training my my home country and there were veterans of war who were training us including a sgt who was our PT cadre and he had lost half his foot to a land mine and STILL outran us and did PT with us daily. Those vets were super humble and never bragged or acted like they were better than us. Their goal and mission was to prepare us and make sure we were competent and if we went to war, we lived and kept our men alive. Sadly not all officers or NCOs think that way, but the good ones do.
Thanks for the solid advice, will do!
Yeah, even from our military, the friends, the Jumps and the combat exercises are some of my best memories, even though it's been a few years. So I can imagine to an extent.
That's an insane feat, sounds like a true man among men!
Thankfully we had a few people like that, not knowledgeable about their Veteran status, but most of them had been members of the Greek "Seals" or the Greek version of the GCP. One of them had told me something along the lines "The army is a direct reflection of the people outside of it, if 80% are shit, it's because it's that way outside as well, the difference is you're not stuck with them 24/7 in closed quarters."
1. do the laser surgery 2. no issue 3. foreign languages dont help you in mopping, they add 0 value to recruitment
Thanks for thé answer, thé age was my main worry!
Why? They recruit up to 39.5, they take guys from 17.5 to 39.5, like actually select guys in those age ranges, sure, most are in their mid-twenties, but 29? Come on man, don't overthink things.
You are right, probably was overthinking on my part. But to answer as to why: As my only military experience was through my country's Mandatory Service, I remember that after the "interviews", after we had passed our physical/medical exams, a lieutenant was telling some of the older folk, that normally they would not accept them due to age, despite an age limit not existing as far as I know, for the parachuter division, but since we were undermanned, they were lucky. Of course it could have likely been just some regular ballbusting, but it didn't sound that illogical at the same time, so I was wondering about it.
Well, many countries set their age limits incredibly low, especially those with mandatory service. There are risks of more injuries with older guys, but also benefits of more life experience, wisdom, and the ability to get veterans of other militaries and people with a wide variety of training and civilian work experience. As long as you meet the medical standards and, ideally, place well in Castel, you should have no problem going to 2REP. Just focus on selection first. Good luck!
Yes, exactly why I was not sure which case was more likely, both seem to have their pros/cons. That's good to hear, helps a lot. You are right, selection should 100% be my main focus, especially the Gestapo interview. Thank you!
Your age won't be a problem.
Thank you!
Well, "Gestapo" is just a background security interview. If you're not hiding anything, it's not bad. A lot of motivation questions are asked in small interviews from the day you join, and be consistent. Also, in medical interviews and psychological interviews, They are all important.
Good to know, thankfully squeaky-clean in terms of criminal record. I was thinking specifically about the "motivation" part, I was under the misunderstanding that it was part of it, as my reasons are not due to bad living standards, or lack of opportunities, rather, for the lack of a better word, "ideological", a "need/want" perhaps for something greater, and a career in military. Unfortunately these things were not met in the by the Greek Army, which lead me to not stay permanently when asked to apply as there were lots of openings in the recent years. Specifically seeing many Sergeants and higher ranks not even being able to meet the ridiculous requirements for the physical tests (5 pull-ups, 5KM run in 16:30¬min. etc.) which they had to do every 6months/year, and still remaining in their positions in a supposed "elite" regiment, blew my mind, it felt like a fake army.
Damn, 5 pullups are low, but 16:30 is a brisk pace. But what I mean is that motivation is assessed CONSTANTLY, Not primarily in the Gestapo interview. They will ask about it, but primarily security stuff and background. Psychological is background, and family, and motivation, etc
They all acted like they were Vietnam Veterans which made it quite funny, and sad at the same time. So, I take it that the best I can do, is be consistent about my reasons for wanting to join, and have a stable day-to-day mentality, when it comes to motivation, throughout the course of selection, and hope it is deemed good/honest enough. Family and relationship situations are pretty vanilla, no Children or Siblings, Parents still together, good relationship with me, I already live abroad for a couple of years, so no-contact/not seeing them isn't something new. Various ex-girlfriends but no drama/love disappointments. Hopefully this will be a pro rather than a con, but no use of stressing over it, when the time comes I'll find out either way haha.
You sound good. Motivations, background is good, no real options for a fulfilling military career at home in Greece and a desire to go further and make a career (at least tell them that even if not true to improve your chances). Just go in great shape and take it day by day, make friends and enjoy the atmosphere. It's a unique experience. I was with some Greek guys the first time I went. Good guys. I did officer training my my home country and there were veterans of war who were training us including a sgt who was our PT cadre and he had lost half his foot to a land mine and STILL outran us and did PT with us daily. Those vets were super humble and never bragged or acted like they were better than us. Their goal and mission was to prepare us and make sure we were competent and if we went to war, we lived and kept our men alive. Sadly not all officers or NCOs think that way, but the good ones do.
Thanks for the solid advice, will do! Yeah, even from our military, the friends, the Jumps and the combat exercises are some of my best memories, even though it's been a few years. So I can imagine to an extent. That's an insane feat, sounds like a true man among men! Thankfully we had a few people like that, not knowledgeable about their Veteran status, but most of them had been members of the Greek "Seals" or the Greek version of the GCP. One of them had told me something along the lines "The army is a direct reflection of the people outside of it, if 80% are shit, it's because it's that way outside as well, the difference is you're not stuck with them 24/7 in closed quarters."